A play provides a useful tool when teaching children. Accumulating a number of suitable scripts can be very helpful. Finding short plays for the classroom is much easier today with many available from online websites. Scripts are written to suit particular age groups, from tiny ones to teenagers. These scripts help teachers to involve pupils actively in learning instead of just sitting passively and listening.
There are many different types of scripts available, from comedies and tragedies to musicals. Some are original and others are adaptations of well known stories. They vary in length and some are short enough to fit easily into a lesson. Children are always very responsive when it comes to comedy and some of the best scripts, especially for small children, are the funny ones.
Many of these scripts work well without a stage, props or special costumes. The children do not have to learn the lines but simply read them instead. They learn to add expression to what they are saying and perform hand gestures. At times, simple costumes and a few props may be included but this is not essential. There is nothing like learning history by performing the roles of historical characters and acting out what happened in the past.
Teaching life skills is also accomplished effectively by using drama. Scripts can be found addressing issues such as honesty, self image, bullying and many other difficult issues. When these issues are explored in the context of story-telling, they becomes less personal and the children realize that they are not the only ones experiencing them. Children are helped to understand and cope with such issues in real life.
Pupils all have differing abilities and a play gives everyone an opportunity to find expression, especially those who find academic learning difficult. Drama also helps children who are withdrawn or shy an opportunity to come out of their shells. Everyone forgets their shyness or lack of confidence when participating in drama.
Group activities are an important part of learning. Drama encourages working together to achieve a certain result. Children learn how to encourage and support one another in their performances. They learn what it feels like to share together and respect one another to make the whole experience work well and achieve the right effect.
Scripts come in many different forms. Some of them require participation of only a few pupils but the others must then listen carefully and this builds their listening skills. Others require the participation of all the pupils. Every pupil gets a turn to speak, even if it is just one line. Some scripts have a few main actors and a chorus of players who have to speak their lines in concert. The number of parts required in the script needs to be checked before purchase to make sure it is appropriate for the particular class.
Participating in a play increases confidence, allows pupils to express themselves and gives them many life skills. The power of drama in learning cannot be underestimated. Inspire, entertain, teach and have fun with some good play scripts. Everyone benefits from including drama in learning.
There are many different types of scripts available, from comedies and tragedies to musicals. Some are original and others are adaptations of well known stories. They vary in length and some are short enough to fit easily into a lesson. Children are always very responsive when it comes to comedy and some of the best scripts, especially for small children, are the funny ones.
Many of these scripts work well without a stage, props or special costumes. The children do not have to learn the lines but simply read them instead. They learn to add expression to what they are saying and perform hand gestures. At times, simple costumes and a few props may be included but this is not essential. There is nothing like learning history by performing the roles of historical characters and acting out what happened in the past.
Teaching life skills is also accomplished effectively by using drama. Scripts can be found addressing issues such as honesty, self image, bullying and many other difficult issues. When these issues are explored in the context of story-telling, they becomes less personal and the children realize that they are not the only ones experiencing them. Children are helped to understand and cope with such issues in real life.
Pupils all have differing abilities and a play gives everyone an opportunity to find expression, especially those who find academic learning difficult. Drama also helps children who are withdrawn or shy an opportunity to come out of their shells. Everyone forgets their shyness or lack of confidence when participating in drama.
Group activities are an important part of learning. Drama encourages working together to achieve a certain result. Children learn how to encourage and support one another in their performances. They learn what it feels like to share together and respect one another to make the whole experience work well and achieve the right effect.
Scripts come in many different forms. Some of them require participation of only a few pupils but the others must then listen carefully and this builds their listening skills. Others require the participation of all the pupils. Every pupil gets a turn to speak, even if it is just one line. Some scripts have a few main actors and a chorus of players who have to speak their lines in concert. The number of parts required in the script needs to be checked before purchase to make sure it is appropriate for the particular class.
Participating in a play increases confidence, allows pupils to express themselves and gives them many life skills. The power of drama in learning cannot be underestimated. Inspire, entertain, teach and have fun with some good play scripts. Everyone benefits from including drama in learning.